Holly Willoughby has been seen for the first time in public since her former This Morning co-star Phillip Schofield's sensational departure from the show. Holly was spotted on a family holiday in Portugal days before her This Morning return.
The TV presenter, 42, took off for some half-term sun as she escapes the fallout from the furore surrounding Schofield's departure. Holly told fans she had been left 'hurt' by Phil's 'lies' as she claimed her former best friend and co-star had concealed from her his affair with a younger colleague.
She spoke out after Phil was dropped by ITV and his agent after confessing to having a romance with a male This Morning runner while still married to wife Stephanie Lowe.
Away from the chaos back home, Holly has been enjoying some downtime in Portugal with her mum and family. In pictures exclusively obtained by the Mirror, Holly could be seen smiling while sat around a dinner table beside mum Linda.
As her future on This Morning hangs in the balance, the TV star looked at ease surrounded by her loved ones as she engaged in conversation around the table.
The Wylde Moon founder cut a casual figure in a straw hat and dark shades, sporting a chic knitted cardigan as she relaxed in the shade.
While Holly has jetted off abroad, her co-star Schofield swapped London for Cornwall as he spent time with his mother in the wake of his statement.
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Responding to his bombshell confession last week, Holly said "When reports of this relationship first surfaced, I asked Phil directly if this was true and was told it was not. It's been very hurtful to now find out that this was a lie."
ITV granted Holly another week's holiday from The Morning after she was already scheduled to take the half-term off alongside Phil, who has now quit the show altogether.
Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary have been filling in as temporary presenters with Holly due to return next Monday. It's not yet known who will be joining her.
Since Holly spoke out several former ITV stars and fellow celebrities including Eamonn Holmes and Katie Hopkins have now urged the star to step down from her role as host of This Morning after her 13-year reign with the damage being 'irreparable' given the velocity of Phillip's bombshell in recent days.
However, it seems that Holly won't be going anywhere without a fight. Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, a source said that Holly has no intentions of quitting This Morning, and hopes to 'ride out the scandal'.
The only way in which Holly would ever choose to leave the ITV programme is if the show itself was axed as a whole.
“Holly wants to stay at This Morning as long as she can, and hopes to ride out the scandal. Other stars like Stephen Mulhern are being approached to fill in for Phil when she returns. Some are reluctant to go in and face angry viewers," the source said.
“Holly is determined to stay put - the only reason she would leave now is if This Morning is axed. She has absolutely no plans to leave.”
Schofield, 61, stepped down from hosting the show just over a week ago, saying he wanted to protect its reputation amid reports of a feud with co-host Holly.
Just one week later, Philip admitted his 'unwise but not illegal”'affair and departed ITV entirely before he was then fired by his management company YMU.
Before Schofield’s confession, Willoughby previously said of his exit “It’s been over 13 great years presenting This Morning with Phil and I want to take this opportunity to thank him for all of his knowledge, his experience and his humour. The sofa won’t feel the same without him.”
Earlier today, it was revealed that Jane McDonald would be replacing Philip Schofield as the host of the Soap Awards this Saturday.
Schofield had vowed to continue hosting the annual event after quitting This Morning but announced he was stepping down and parting ways with ITV altogether after 'lying' to his agent and bosses about his affair.
